Pluggable support for electron tube and circuit



R. L. PALMER 2,637,763

PLUGGABLE SUPPORT FOR ELECTRON TUBE AND CIRCUIT May 5, 1953 Filed July 9, 194a INVENTOR RALPH L. PA LMER Patented May 5, 1953 PLUGGABLE SUPPORT FOR ELECTRON TUBE AND CIRCUIT Ralph L. Palmer, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 9, 1948, Serial No. 37,896

12 Claims.

This invention relates to pluggable units and more particularly to such units for containing electronic circuits and are of the type referred to in the copending application of Palmer et a1. Serial No. 38,078, filed July 9, 1948.

Various types of pluggable units are used for engaging and disengaging certain circuits relative to other circuits. One of the most common shortcomings of such units is the difliculty of assembling the various components thereon and the difiiculty of expeditiously adapting the unit to contain a variety of different circuit components for use with different circuit apparatus.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a pluggable unit wherein the above shortcomings are substantially reduced.

It is another object to provide a pluggable unit having a single member which is the main structural support, protects the electronic tube and components from external blows and is readily accessible for eifecting the engagement and disengagement of the unit with other apparatus.

It is another object to provide a pluggable unit having a plurality of insulating supporting discs of substantially the same diameter as that of the tube socket used.

It is another object to provide a pluggable unit for retaining an entire circuit and tube therefor wherein all circuit components are arranged beneath the socket of the tube and connect to pins engageable with a similar type or different type tube socket.

It is a further object to provide a pluggable unit for retaining a circuit wherein each circuit component is readily accessible from without the unit.

It is a still further object to provide a pluggable circuit unit wherein all circuit components are retained on the periphery of supporting discs.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the inventi n and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a novel arrangement comprising one embodiment of the inven tion.

Fig. 2 is an elevation, partly in cross section, of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 without the electrical components and connections thereon.

"Fig. 3 is a view of Fig. 2 taken on the line 3-3 thereof.

Fig. 4 is a view, partly cut away, of Fig. 2 taken from the line 44 thereof.

Fig. 5 is a view of Fig. 2 taken from the line 55 thereof.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the main structural support comprises a rod or wire it bent through 180 into a U-shape cooperating with posts it male threaded at their top ends to be brought into engagement with the female threaded. ends of the U-shaped rod H3. The top plate I2 is clamped into the position shown when the posts H are brought into threadable engagement with the U-shaped rod 8. The faces of the bottom plate It are geometrically congruent with the plate 52 and one is brought into rigid abutment with the lower ends of the posts 5 i by the threaded engagement of the screws M. (Fig. 5) with the female threaded bottom portions of the posts I l. i

A tube socket Iii for receiving a tube IE is secured to the top plate 12 by screws ll extending through the top plate into threaded engagement with a socket base ring (not shown). Center shaft I3 is securedin an opening through the center of socket l5 and extends downward parallel to and equidistant from the posts 5 I and through the bottom plate [3 and is secured to bushing id in plate 53. Aside from serving as a supporting member, the shaft i8 is employed as a ground line.

Discs 2G, 2! and 22 are mounted, as shown, in spaced relation and concentrically on the shaft 83 and carry bushings i9, 23, and'2 l, respectively, for connection thereto. Thediscs 2U, 21, and 22 are similarly constructed. Each disc comprises three similar discs a,-b, and c made of any suitable insulating material. Each 1) disc has radial slots cut from its periphery to receive the lugs 25 bent to form approximately a angle. Each c disc is provided with a series of axial holes arranged to receive snugly the downwardly extending portions of the lugs 25. The lugs are so placed through the axial holes of the 0 discs and the b discs are then placed over the c discs, the horizontally extendin portions of the lugs being fitted snugly into the corresponding radial slots in the 0 discs. The 0: discs are secured over the 2? discs and all three rigidly secured together to hold the lugs 25 against any substantial movement in any direction.

and replacement of components. The circuit arrangement is associated with the tube It by the connection of the appropriate components to the lugs of the tube socket E5.

The downwardly extending portion of the lugs 25 of the disc 28' are of greater length than the same portion of the lugs associated with the discs 2! and 22. These downwardly extending portions of the lugs 25 of the disc 2b are designated as 2'5 and used as pins to engage a. tube socket, similar to socket l5. By the engagement and disengagement of the pins 21 with any appropriate receptacle such as, a tube, socket, the circuit affixed to the pluggableunitmay be associated with or dlsassociated from any other desired circuit arrangement without, making: any other connection. Obviously, this permits rapid repair of electronic circuits and the substitution of one type circuit for another to permit the operation of the associated circuits for-a plurality of purposes.

From the description it is apparent that the insulating members holding the lugs 25' may be fabricated in any desired; manner alsov that they 'may be of any desired configuration and that portant feature of the insulating members is that their peripheries are substantially confined within an area defined by the periphery of the tube socket and in alignment therewith and the lugs are contained about the periphery of each insulating member. This permits easy attachment and detachment of the circuit components of the unit and facilitates production. Of course, where there is no necessity for conserving space, the peripheries of the insulating members may cover a greater area than that defined by the area of the tube socket.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A pluggable unit for supporting electronic circuit components including a main supporting structure comprising an element bent to form a U, a rectangular top plate having an opening and afiixed to the legs of the 'U, a tube socket mounted in said opening, a rectangular bottom plate similar to said top plate and ainxed to the ends of the legs of the U, a shaft mounted with its. respective ends in the tube socket and the bottom plate and parallel to and equidistant from the legs of the U, a series of insulating discs fixedly mounted in axially spaced-relation on said shaft, one disc being mounted with its face: contiguous with the upper portion oi the bottom plate, a series of lugs equally spaced about the periphery of said discs and extending outwardly therefrom. to permit a soldered connection thereto, the lugs on each disc being in alignment with the corresponding, lugs on, the other discs, a. series of pins each electrically connected to a lug on the disc contiguous with the lower plate and exd tending downwardly through the plate to be engageable with another tube socket.

2. A pluggable unit for retaining electronic circuit components including a tube socket affixed to a top plate; a bottom plate; a shaft mounted intermediate said tube socket and said bottom plate at the center of each; a series of discs concentrically mounted in spaced relation on said shaft, said discs having a diameter substantially equal to that of said tube socket; a series of soldering lugs in spaced relation on the periphery of each disc; a plurality of pins extending through said bottom plate to engage a socket and posts having means for connection to the top and bottom plates at portions thereof overhanding the peripheries of said discs.

3. A. pluggable unit for retaining electronic circuit components including a main supporting structure comprising an element bent to form a U, a rectangular top plate having a hole therethrough for receiving a tube socket, a tube socket having terminals, mounted therein, said plate being afiixed at diagonal corners to the legs of the U, a rectangular bottom plate having a pcriphery equal to that of said top plate and affixed at corresponding diagonal corners to the ends of the legs of the U an insulating member supported by said bottom plate and containing lugs for connection to the tube socket terminals and means connected to said lugs and projecting axially of said unit to render said unit pluggable.

e. A pluggable unit for retaining electronic circuit components including a main supporting structure comprising an element bent to form a U, a rectangular top plate having a hole therethrough for receiving a tube socket and affixed at diagonal corners to the legs of the U, a tube socket having terminals, mounted in said plate, a rectangular bottom plate having a periphery equal to that of said top plate and affixed at corresponding diagonal corners to the ends of the legs of the U, a shaft fixedly mounted at its respective ends on the tube socket and bottom plate and parallel to and equidistant from the legs of the U, a series of insulating discs fixedly mounted in spaced relation on said shaft by a bushing at the center of each, one disc being mounted with its face contiguous with the top face of the bottom plate, a series of lugs equally spaced about the periphery of said discs and extending outwardly therefrom to permit a soldered connection thereto and prongs extending axially of said unit and connected to certain of said lugs.

5. In a pluggable unit for retaining electronic circuit components, a tube socket for retaining and electrically connecting the prongs of an electron tube and having circuit element connectors, a plate for retaining said socket, a U- shaped handle attached to said plate and extending upward therefrom, a bottom plate substantially aligned with said top plate and hav ing lugs for electrical connection to said con-- nectors and a. plurality of pins extending downwardly therefrom for engagement with a female socket, a plurality of insulating members in spaced relation between said plates, said mem bers having portions extending from their peripheries to carry electrical circuit components, and means fixedly aligning and spacedly connecting said plates: and members.

6. In a pluggable unit for retaining electronic circuit elements, a tube socket for retaining and electrically connecting the prongs of an electron tube and having circuit element connectors, an inverted U-shapeol handle extending upwardly from said socket and first means connecting said handle and socket whereby said handle may be employed for inserting and removing said pluggable unit, insulating means centrally aligned substantially with the center of said socket, connectors extending from said insulating means and prongs extending downwardly therefrom, said connectors and prongs being electrically connected, and a second connecting means connecting said insulating means and said handle, said first and second connecting means providing a space for electrical circuit components to extend between said extending connectors and said socket connectors.

'7. A pluggable unit for retaining electronic circuit components including a main supporting structure comprising an element bent to form an inverted U for inserting and withdrawing said unit, a top plate having a hole therethrough for receiving a tube socket and affixed at diagonal corners to the legs of the U, a tube socket having terminals, said socket being mounted in the hole in said plate, a bottom member having corners corresponding to those of the top plate afiixed to the legs of the inverted U-shaped element, prongs carried by said bottom plate and extending downwardly from said unit and having connector portions extending therefrom, an insulating member, and means mounting said member intermediate said socket and said bottom plate, said member including means for supporting an electrical component to be connected between said connector portions and said socket terminals.

8. A pluggable unit for retaining electronic circuit components including a main supporting structure comprising an element bent to form an inverted U for inserting and withdrawing said unit, a top plate having a hole therethrough for receiving a tube socket and afiixed at diagonal corners to the legs of the U-shaped element, a tube socket having terminals, said socket being mounted in the hole in said plate, a bottom member having diagonal corners corresponding to those of the top plate affixed to the legs of the inverted U-shaped element, an insulating member supported by said bottom member, connectors extending laterally from said insulating member and prongs extending downwardly therefrom, said prongs and connectors being electrically connected, and an insulating disk fixedly mounted in spaced relation to said bottom member and said socket and providing support for electrical circuit components to be connected between said connectors and said socket terminals.

9. In a pluggable unit for retaining an electron tube and electronic circuit components associated therewith, a socket having prong receiving contacts for receiving said tube prongs, at least one insulating member having lugs carried thereby whereby electrical components may be connected between said lugs and said prong receiving contacts, said member being in substantial alignment with said socket, pins carried by said member and electrically connectible to said lugs, said pins protruding from said insulating member for engaging a female contact, an inverted U-shaped support, means interconnecting said support and said socket, with the inverted U portion of said support projecting above said socket, and means carried by the arms of the U-shaped member for supporting said insulating member whereby said U portion of said support projects in one direction and said prongs project in the opposite direction.

10. A pluggable unit for retaining an electron tube and electronic circuit components associated therewith including a perforated top plate for retaining a tube socket, a tube socket mounted in said perforation and having prong receiving terminals, a bottom plate, means comprising an inverted U-shaped member with its U portion extending above said socket and its legs extending downwardly and engaging said top and bottom plates to maintain said plates in spaced relation, said inverted U portion providing a handle for effecting engagement and disengagement of said unit with other apparatus, means carried by said bottom plate comprising securing means for a plurality of prongs extending i downwardly from said unit and connectors extending from said prongs, insulating members, and means mounting said members intermediate said socket and said bottom plate, each said member including means for supporting an electrical component to be connected between said connectors and said socket terminals.

11. In a pluggable unit for retaining electrical circuit components, an inverted U-shaped member, a tube socket for retaining and electrically connecting the prongs of an electron tube and having circuit element connectors, insulating means supporting a plurality of prongs each having a connector portion extending therefrom, and means connecting said tube socket and said insulating means to said inverted U-shaped member whereby said member serves as a handle for inserting and removing said pluggable unit.

12. In a pluggable unit for retaining electronic circuit components, an inverted U-shaped member, a tube socket for retaining and electrically connecting prongs of an electron tube and including circuit element connectors, insulating means supporting a plurality of prongs each having a connector portion extending therefrom, means connecting said tube socket and said insulating means to said inverted U-shaped member, and supporting means located between said insulating means and said socket and providing support for electrical circuit components to be connected between said connector portions and said socket connectors.

RALPH L. PALMER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,293,594 Willey Feb. 4, 1919 2,111,381 Barton Mar. 15, 1938 2,186,184 Tubbs Jan. 9, 1940 2,377,893 Lorenzen June 12, 1945 2,449,646 Emde Sept. 21, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 634,033 France Oct. 31, 1927 807,990 France Oct. 26, 1936 917,325 France Sept. 9, 1946 

